Bognor Chichester CTC Ride Notes- Club Website is at www.bognorchichesterctc.org.uk

Sunday, 9 November 2008

Sunday 9 November. Ride to Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Just the two of us, Avryl and Linda took more or less the usual route from Chichester Cross to Stansted for elevenses, against the wind and dodging the blusterly showers.

The celestial beings ignored the 2 minutes silence at 11.00 by pelting the Stansted Tea Room plastic roof with big raindrops, probably to put us in mind of the mud and the Somme. Then onwards against the wind past Forestside and Butser Hill Ancient Farm to the QE Park cafe for lunch, where Adrian was waiting for us and Steve (formerly Croydon, now of Westminster) joined us, having taken the train to Petersfield and cycled on.

The last time Steve rode with us was in February, since when he's been laid low with mumps and other nasty lurgies, so it was nice to renew acquaintance.

The blusteriness got worse as the four of us headed back. Adrian left us before the downhill past Butser, where the sudden squalls could have dislodged any of us, but didn't. Steve left at Rowlands Castle for the train back to London and Avryl and Linda scooted back to Chichester via Westbourne where, thank you Wind God, you got behind us and blew us home.

Despite a precautionary Jack o'Lantern, Phil, Mary, Linda, Gill, Richard Carlisle, and Brian and Sue Howe were joined at the entrance to the cathedral graveyard by two fearsome looking ghouls on bicycles. The evening was clear and cold but not perishing.

This was to be an evening of culture as well as cycling. Mary started proceedings with a desciption of the performance of Dr Faustus in the grounds of the Cathedral. We headed south and took the canal towpath stopping briefly near the old swing bridge for Mary to describe various romantic aspects of the canal. The story was embellished by Linda who also had to pacify a startled neighbour.

We continued to Hunston followed by the two ghouls and turned right to cross the peninsula to Chichester Marina. Mary then served pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread whilst we gazed out over the channel and Phil explained the significance of smuggling to the local economy in the mid-eighteenth century. We noted that the ghouls seemed partial to the soup and pumpkin bread and speculated that they may be distant ancestors of Dave and Louise Galle.

We then headed north towards Appuldram, crossed the old A259 and the railway, then headed up the Centurion Way. We stopped again briefly by the metal workmen while Phil described the rise and fall of the Chichester to Midhurst railway. We then continued north to West Dean and the Selsey Arms.

The ghouls joined us in the bar and the landlord seemed happy to serve them since they had the appropriate currency. We left the pub at about 10 pm and returned via the main road, noting the smugglers memorial outside the rugby ground as we passed.

A jolly evening was had by all. We were delighted to have so many guests with us (including the well-mannered ghouls).

On a mild morning with driving drizzle only Gill and Linda turned up at Chichester Cross at 09.30, Linda doing so because she was listed to lead and both of us having remembered clocks back. And why does it always rain on rides I lead?

We decided that Balls Cross was much too far on such a dismal day and anyway Gill was still getting over a nasty cold, so we decided on Chichester Marina for elevenses and then home. This we did going via the footbridge over the A27, N. Mundham, Hunston and across country to the Marina, where there was a group of similarly very wet motorbikers. Anyway hot coffee and chocolate sorted us out, and then home during a break in the drizzle. Miles done too few to mention.

6 riders met at Chichester Cross - Harvey, Alan, Liz, Arthur, Lynn and myself. We cycled to Bosham Hoe and then round to the shoreline at Bosham. There was no wind at all and it all looked so peaceful and still. It was just after high tide and we were able to ease round the harbour with the help of the footpath. After a stop for coffee sadly Arthur and Lynn had to leave us.

After taking the lanes around Chidhamwe emerged at the A259 which we crossed and headed north to Woodmancote and Aldsworth and hence to Stansted Garden Centre where we met some Arun Adur riders. The Tea Room is temporarily in the main building while repairs are being done to the roof.

After lunch we cycled to West Marden via Forestside and then headed south to Walderton and Funtington. Here we took Downs Road to Stoke where we turned alongside the village Hall and down Lye Lane to join Clay Lane and Salthill Road.

We enjoyed a welcome cup of tea and cakes at the RomanPalace and then returned to Chichester.

Phil, Mary, Colin, Linda and Gill met at Chichester Cross at 9:30 am. The day was a little damp and misty at first but as we travelled west, the sun emerged and the day warmed. Unusually for the time of year, four sets of legs were exposed to the elements. We took the usual route to Stanstead Garden Centre. The tea room had been moved down into the main Garden Centre building while refurbishment work is going on.

We continued north from Stanstead to Forestside, West Marden and then South Harting where we stopped to use the facilities. We continued through Nyewood and Rogate climbing gradually and back in mist until we reached the old A3 and turned right to reach the garden centre.

Vin and Clare Watters (ne Turner) joined us for cup of tea and we then headed back down the Rogate road but immediately branched left towards Milland. A navigational blunder took us further east than planned, but we were rewarded by a lovely run through the forest to Woolbeding. We truned right on the A272 and then left through another forest to join the main Bepton road and thence to Cocking where we stopped for tea at the Moonlight Cafe.

After tea, we climbed Cocking Hill and descended to Singleton and West Dean, then returned along the Centurion Way. A very pleasant run in comparativley mild conditions for the time of year.

What a change in the weather compared to last week - glorious hot sunshine and a light breeze - really perfect cycling conditions.

This ride is one in the series run in conjunction with WSCC's Walk & Rides events and is advertised in their booklet and on their website. We had 3 riders as a result of that publicity - Dawn, Tony & young James, and another 7 riders either starting and/or riding home with us, meaning 10 out in total. Christine, Alan & Liz at the library, with Julian, Bruno and Val joining us for the return. Val had got stuck in the traffic and couldn't make the start point in time.

The A27 was closed at Arundel all weekend for maintenance, meaning all traffice was diverted through Littlehampton and Bognor, as a result of which the roads were extremely congested, so we tried as far as possible to keep to the back lanes.

Our route took us round the back of Bognor & Felpham, to Flansham and then the cycletrack to Barnham, where we took Mill Lane to Yapton, then Horsemere Green, Climping, and along the cycleway to the Arun Crossing, down on the bridleway under the bridge and straight into the Marina and the Boathouse Cafe. We took great delight in cycling down the side of the queuing traffic - as far as the eye could see in both directions - trying to use Ford Road to get round Arundel.

Fully refreshed, we then returned to Bognor via Climping School, diverting off road again through the tracks at Ancton Wood, emerging at Middleton and then the easy stretch through Felpham village back to Bognor. All in all a pleasant afternoons circular run, 18 miles start to finish.

Weather today was atrocious with strong winds and lashing down with rain all morning. Not surprisingly only Gill joined Colin at the Pond. Nevertheless they rode on to Wiggonholt for elevenses where they where joined by Richard Boulton and Steve Launchenbury from Arun Adur.

The 4 cycled from the RSPB centre to Newpound Common for lunch via BroadfordBridge and Billingshurst.

Colin and Gill returned via BignorMuseum and Duncton Hill to Aldingbourne where they split to go their own ways home.

The weather was a shame with the Ride being arranged as an all Sections meet to celebrate the 100th edition of the Pedaller DA Magazine.

The sun was shining though the air was rather cool as Colin, Linda, Gill, Keith, Chris, Phil and Mary left Walberton Pond on Sunday morning. We took the route through Binstead to Arundel where we crossed the footbridge by the station as the main road bridge was closed. We took the Khyber Pass route to Amberley and then on to Pulborough Brooks for coffee.

Chris departed after coffee. Colin led the group around the north of Storrington, crossing the A283 to take a minor road that crossed the A24 on a high bridge leading to Washington church where we stopped for lunch. Keith left for the Frankland Arms, but we subsequently saw no sign of him when we dropped down to the pub for a drink.

After discussing the possibility of climbing to Cissbury Ring and the merits of embrocation, we returned on minor roads to Storrington and then headed south past an ornately-carved wooden gate, through a hedge, crossed the B2139 and entered Parham Park. We then continued through Rackham to the new tea rooms at Amberley Village where we enjoyed large cups of tea (with real milk), tea cakes and tea bread.

We crossed the Arun at Houghton Bridge and then headed west again to Bury and continued to cross the downs via Duncton Hill. Finally, we traversed the ridge to Whiteways before dropping back down the hill to the Goodwood Circuit and returning to Chichester.

Total distance for the tandem was 105 kilometres – a good run considering a fair amount of off-road and climbing was involved.

Linda was due to lead the ride today but as she could not make it I took over. I was joined at Walberton Pond by Anne, Colin and Phil on his solo bike for a change.

The weather today was little different from last Sunday with heavy continuous rain until about 11.00 and then easing to light rain and dry in the afternoon. We met at the handy bus shelter across the road from the Pond. We were due to leave at 9.30 but soon after that the heavy rain turned into a torrential downpour so we stayed put for 20 minutes watching as a local lady on her bike struggled through the downpour.

Phil could only come as far as elevenses before having to return home. In view of the weather we decided to shorten the ride and go to Tiffins, Petworth for elevenses and then back towards the coast to Aldingbourne for lunch.

As the rain eased to normal heavy rain I led the group up to Fontwell, under the underpass and then onto Slindon Bottom Road through Slindon Woods. At the best of times this seems pleasantly away from it all. Today with the rain coming down, lading the trees with moisture and mist rising from the ground in the warmth it felt like a remote tropical rainforest out of Lord of the Rings. However it was soon back to reality as we emerged from the woods and climbed up to Eartham. Then it was the main road to Duncton Hill which was shrouded in low cloud.

From the bottom of the hill we took lanes over to Petworth where we received a warm welcome from the staff despite a little dripping. Phil couldn’t join us but had to head straight back.

When we emerged the rain had eased to a little drizzle. We returned on the same route. Before Duncton Hill, Colin turned off to do his own route further east. Anne and I continued with the hard climb up Duncton Hill into the clouds but from the top we spotted blue sky towards the coast. We headed on down to Aldingbourne where John Maxim was already well into his roast lunch. I had the same followed by apple and blackberry crumble after the lady there told us she had just cooked it and it was still warm.

The day dawned cloudy wet and miserable with constant rain. It did though perk up a lot by about 11.30 when the rain cleared to some warm sunny spells and temperatures up to 20C.

Gill led this ride and not surprisingly she was joined at Walberton Pond by only 3 more, myself (Edwin) Phil and Mary.

Gill led us via Madehurst to Whiteways and then down Bury Hill and across on wet lanes to Sutton. Then more lanes up to Tiffins, Petworth for elevenses. As by now it was 11.30 we decided to make this a lunch stop and go on to the Pub later just for a drink. We had fast service and were soon tucking in. I had the breakfast which is served until 12.00.

The skies were clearing as we headed west on the A272. There were prominent new signs warning drivers to slow down and warning 39 casualties over the last 3 years next 5 miles. Not wishing to be no 40 we quickly turned off on the lane and long climb through Tillington. Then it was more quiet lanes down to River and up to Leggatt Hill and round to the Hollist Arms, Lodsworth. This was notable for the new paved area in the lower rear garden under canvas for the smokers.

We continued south on more lanes towards South Ambersham. On crossing the River Rother there were a lot of people on the banks waiting for the annual Bath Race to come by. Then it was lanes across Ambersham Common and on to the A286 via Heyshott Green. Then up Cocking Hill and down the main road to West Dean Gardens for a welcome tea.

After tea we headed on down to Chichester on the Centurion Way. My mileage for the day from Pagham was 51.

Arthur led this ride and he was joined at the Cross by myself (Edwin) Linda, Gill, Sonia, Ernie, Avryl, David, Alan and Liz. Adrian joined us at Portsmouth making a total of 11 out on the day.

The weather was bright and sunny in the morning but clouding over in the afternoon but staying dry. Temperature was about 20C with a strong SW wind.

Arthur led us on the South Coast Cycle Route lanes to Westbourne and Havant. Then over the Bridge and down the Hayling Billy Cycle Trail with very clear views across to Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower. We stopped for elevenses at a Beach Kiosk neat the ferry to Southsea. Alan and Liz and Sonia went back from here and the rest of us caught the ferry. Adrian joined us on the other side and we continued along Southsea seafront with a strong headwind to the Gosport ferry next to Portsmouth Harbour Train Station. After a quick crossing with views of the Spinnaker Tower we took the coast road with good cycle lanes to Lee on Solent and chose the Bluebird Cafe for lunch.

After some large lunches we headed back with a much anticipated strong tailwind. We took a different road back to Gosport via Stokes Bay and past Haslar Hospital. Then the ferry back to Portsmouth, we were getting our sea legs by now.

We continued through Southsea and back along the Seafront to the Hayling Ferry which soon arrived. Then it was lanes up from West Hayling and across on lanes to North Hayling and Northney. We had planned to go to Emsworth for Tea but I spotted a Cream Teas Today sign outside St Peters Church Northney. We soon piled in there for a welcome break. This was their second year doing teas which this year have been every Sunday 25 May to 7 September 3.00 to 5.00. There are several Russian Graves in the Churchyard including HSH Princess Katherine Yourievsky, the youngest daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. She lived the last 31 years of her life in Hayling Island and was buried in the churchyard. For more on the history of the Princess and the sad end to her life follow the link to this website and an article The last of the Hampshire Romanovs. Found with a search on Google.

We headed back over the Bridge and then the path along the foreshore and a path and lane under the A27 up to the road into Havant. As time was getting on it was then straight along the A259 back to Chichester with a strong tailwind.

Mileage from and back to the Cross was about 53. My mileage for the day was 65.

Edwin

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A total of 15 riders risked the weather today after a thoroughly wet and depressing previous day and despite some ominous dark clouds it remained dry and with some sunshine as well. Those out at sometime during the day were Avryl, Freda, Jim, Jeff, Adrian, Arthur, Lynn, David, Harvey, Richard, Keith, Edwin, Gill, Phil and Mary.

We set off from The Cross at Chichester and followed the Salterns Way stopping at the Yacht Basin for coffee and then carried on to Birdham. Here we cut across the main road to Bell Lane and hence through Almondington and Highleigh Road past Sidlesham school and Brent Lodge bird hospital to B2145 Chichester to Selsey Road. There was a strong headwind and a lot of traffic as we headed towards Selsey and we got separated into two groups but finally all made it to the Lifeboat Inn arriving in good time to get seated at a table. We awaited the arrival of Phil and Mary with Gill who had taken a longer ride via Midhurst and had had a battle against the wind.

We returned along the Bill Way and were blown back towards Chichester. Phil and Mary offered us tea at their house and we sat and basked in the sunshine fortified by freshly made hot scones, teas etc.

We made our different ways home from Runcton, the mileage from The Cross being 30mls.